Alchemy synth is now a part of Logic Pro X; here’s what’s new

Logic Pro has a new flagship synth instrument. And that synth is no basic pack-in – it’s one of the deepest software instruments on the market.

It’s also no stranger. As expected following Cupertino’s acquisition, Alchemy, a deep “sample manipulation” synth, has made its way into Apple’s product line. It’s now everywhere on the Mac desktop. Even in GarageBand, you can access Alchemy-based presets. In Logic Pro X, and even MainStage, you can access the full instrument. (That means the $29.99 MainStage is now also a heck of a steal if you just want the synth.)

(I do say desktop – there’s no sign of Alchemy on iOS at this time. On the other hand, if those “iPad Pro” rumors are true… well, I’ll let you fantasize about that; Apple of course won’t tell me anything.)

Now, we more or less knew back when Camel Audio was acquired by Apple that this would also mean no more availability of Alchemy as a plug-in for other DAWs (or other platforms). What we didn’t know is what form the re-released version would take. And that’s where there’s good news: Alchemy has been vastly updated.

If you’re just looking for a sound quickly, you can mess about with transform controls and pull up a wide range of presets. If you want to go deeper, you have an instrument that does additive, spectral, formant, granular, sampling, and virtual analog synthesis. In fact, I can’t think of another single instrument that does quite as much all via one interface.

Logic Pro X 10.2, available as a free App Store upgrade or for instant purchase, includes a raft of other improvements. And Alchemy itself hasn’t just been shoved into Logic’s interface – there are some significant additions there, as well. Let’s have a look:

A new Alchemy

It’s not just Alchemy inside Logic Pro X 10.2. This is officially Alchemy 2.0, a major update. For those of you familiar with the instrument, here’s some of what’s new:

Better morphing. Advanced cross-synthesis now improves audio morphing, incorporating all the details of the sound (additive, spectral, formant, pitch, envelope). You also get more options in the interface.

More precise additive resynthesis, spectral resynthesis. These are really a big part of what sets Alchemy apart, and they’re vastly expanded. There are more additive effects (Pulse/Saw, Harmonic, Beating, Stretch, Shift, Magnet, Spread, Auto Pan). And you get more precise control of both additive and spectral resynthesis – the algorithms themselves have been sonically improved, we’re told. And there’s a new partial tracker, you have more editing options, and you can see everything you’re doing via real-time spectrogram. Spectral resynthesis also works in stereo now, as well, and supports masking.

Powerful formant and granular modes. Loads of depth here, too, including elaborate controls for formant resynthesis (with multiple filter shapes), and multi-tap granular controls you can space out across a stereo field.

Added pitch correction. Correct pitch to unison, octave, fifth, a combination of fifth/octave, or chromatically, with adjustments for amount and speed.

Use the sampler with EXS24. You can now import Logic’s EXS24 sampler instruments directly into the Alchemy sampler, meaning access to Logic’s own library and lots of third-party content. The Sampler module itself is also more powerful, with a reverse mode, automatic keymapping, and new keymap editor and group editor.

Bring the noise. The virtual analog side of things is expanded, too – sync, anti-aliased PWM, waveform shape display, and a noise section with 13 noise types (not just white and pink).

Modulation and arpeggiators that are kind of insane. Alchemy adds per-source arpeggiators and reorganized editors for source controls and the arpeggiator. And you can modulate all kinds of things. You can switch patterns with modulation (yipes, one-note presets, anyone?), modulate the rate knob, modulate keyswitches, and see visual feedback in real-time.

Envelopes with more power. You get graphical AHDSR with tempo sync. And there are envelope followers at eight points in the signal chain.

More samples and easier browsing. Alchemy now has 3100 presets plus 300 Logic patches, and a 14 GB sample library. (Fortunately, that sample library is an optional download from the store, just like other extended Logic content.) To navigate all of the included content or manage your own sounds, there’s a redesigned browser with expanded drag-and-drop support.

Dial-in controls if you want to improvise / don’t want to get too deep. Alchemy’s X/Y pads and transforms already resembled Apple’s own work on making Smart Controls. The idea: give people a few knobs to dial up variations on much deeper sound engines. So, little surprise here: Alchemy will be fully integrated in the Logic interface, which means access from those Smart Controls and the accompanying iPad app remote.

But it’s more efficient. Apple says they’ve reduced CPU usage.

– and you shouldn’t lose your old presets. Existing presets are available in the install, and third-party presets should (mostly) compatible. The 1.5 file format can be imported into Alchemy, and while some internal engine changes may mean some things don’t work identically, you should be able to load your existing collections.

All in all, this is pretty huge – the biggest synth news to come to Logic in years. And while Apple could have just dropped Alchemy in Logic and called it a day, it’s nice to see a vastly expanded release.

And yes, this means one more big update from Apple that can cater to the explosive market for young EDM producers, particularly in the USA but worldwide, as well.

Nice how a musical genre suddenly created a demand for massively-complex synthesizer modulation.

A more connected Logic

The other news is, Logic Pro X does more than before when connected to the internet.

From Apple, there’s expected Apple Music Connect support, which lets you publish directly to Apple Music from inside the app. (Previously, this was available only in GarageBand.)

But more interestingly, there’s also built-in support for Gobbler. Once you sign up for a free subscription with Gobbler, you can back up, share, and collaborate directly from within Logic. That’s a big deal for both Apple and Gobbler – there’s never been cloud integration like this in a major DAW.

Our friends at Gobbler have a video of that, above.

And lots of other pro improvements…

10.2, as is typical of Apple’s recent pro music update cycle, adds a lot of functionality and fixes, too.

There’s Force Touch trackpad support for the latest Apple laptops – a reminder that Apple is the one DAW maker that’s also in the computer business.

You can non-destructively reverse audio regions. (Ah, I love this, as a reverse-addicted person.)

You can globally nudge by key command to note values. (I like that, too.)

And there are lots of editing improvements, including finally showing fades correctly on regions that have been ‘flexed,’ better editing options for different Cycle settings, and some nice features for locators and markers.

There are many more tiny details, fixing minuscule quality issues and making editing easier. This is the sort of attention to detail that we desperately need in our aging stable of big DAWs, and we don’t always get it. So I’m eager to try it out and see how it’s feeling in practice.

I’ll say this: Logic may not be your favorite DAW. Heck, you might even actively dislike it. But what I can’t get from using it is any sense that the pro music team at Apple is uninterested in serious users. If you transported someone from fifteen years ago and sat them in front of what you told them was Emagic Logic Pro X alongside some of its competition, they’d be none the wiser. (They might wonder where their Windows version was, but apart from that.)

Of course, as always, many of these enhancements also carry over to GarageBand and MainStage.

I definitely buy the idea that Apple doesn’t care about Windows Logic users. (How many years has it been now?)

I just don’t buy the idea that they don’t care about pros – at least relative to anyone else in the DAW market.

Tony Scharf

well, i didn’t reference that sentence because I know *exactly* what happened to the windows version.

I am actually really kind of excited about this. I used Alchemy on my windows machine (that is now a boat anchor) and I’m inching toward going home again. Logic was always what I compared every DAW I’ve used since too and none have fared perfectly well. Logic’s MIDI editing, in particularly, was beyond awesome. When I conjure up the cash to buy it, I most likely will.

Tony Scharf

“If you transported someone from fifteen years ago and sat them in front of what you told them was Emagic Logic Pro X alongside some of its competition, they’d be none the wiser. ”

Well, 15 years ago, I got dropped when Apple bought Emagic and killed off the PC version. I just bought a Mac after my PC died. Anyone want to fund me the $300 to test your theory out?

I definitely buy the idea that Apple doesn’t care about Windows Logic users. (How many years has it been now?)

I just don’t buy the idea that they don’t care about pros – at least relative to anyone else in the DAW market.

Tony Scharf

well, i didn’t reference that sentence because I know *exactly* what happened to the windows version.

I am actually really kind of excited about this. I used Alchemy on my windows machine (that is now a boat anchor) and I’m inching toward going home again. Logic was always what I compared every DAW I’ve used since too and none have fared perfectly well. Logic’s MIDI editing, in particularly, was beyond awesome. When I conjure up the cash to buy it, I most likely will.

While I’m waiting for the update to download, I can’t help but wonder what might happen with all those Alchemy sound libraries I purchased over the years, not to mention all my own patches. Probably nothing. But maybe, just maybe….

There are loads of old presets. Make sure you install the Alchemy Sound Library content. (On the “logic pro x” menu, download additional content). Seems like it has most of the old expansion libraries.

Graham Metcalfe

Nice! Maybe it’s finally time to upgrade from Logic 9! 🙂

Kevin

They work, seamlessly. Just select the ‘legacy’ option in Alchemy’s patch browser (click on one of the attribute headers, e.g., genre, to find it). All your Camel Audio content and third party libraries will then show up in the patch browser. Good news!

While I’m waiting for the update to download, I can’t help but wonder what might happen with all those Alchemy sound libraries I purchased over the years, not to mention all my own patches. Probably nothing. But maybe, just maybe….

YES! All my presents and samples are there! Amazing! Plus it sounds and looks GREAT.

jsd

There are loads of old presets. Make sure you install the Alchemy Sound Library content. (On the “logic pro x” menu, download additional content). Seems like it has most of the old expansion libraries.

Graham Metcalfe

Nice! Maybe it’s finally time to upgrade from Logic 9! 🙂

Kevin

They work, seamlessly. Just select the ‘legacy’ option in Alchemy’s patch browser (click on one of the attribute headers, e.g., genre, to find it). All your Camel Audio content and third party libraries will then show up in the patch browser. Good news!

It isn’t. The envelope curves and things like that are retina (and things that are apparently programmed, not pre-rendered), but everything else (including text) is non-retina. It’s actually pretty horrible. If you check the lpx.app contents, you can see that there’s no @2x artwork.

I highly suspect this was developed already under Camel Audio and never updated when it got into Apples hands.

It isn’t. The envelope curves and things like that are retina (and things that are apparently programmed, not pre-rendered), but everything else (including text) is non-retina. It’s actually pretty horrible. If you check the lpx.app contents, you can see that there’s no @2x artwork.

I highly suspect this was developed already under Camel Audio and never updated when it got into Apples hands.

Graham Metcalfe

I will be interested in reports about people loading their third party content into the new version of Alchemy. Fingers crossed that it works easily, but I’m not holding my breath.

That’s really funny: No comments about the EXS24 support! Could that be the slow end of that trusted old sampler?

Mag66

Yes but so far, I haven’t come across any compatibility issues with my older libs… They all appear to play exactly the same across both versions of the plugin.. Its also worth noting that this update doesn’t affect the original Alchemy 1.5 plugin installation as that is still available as normal within Logic.

Chad

Does anyone know if Alchemy can still load/import custom .sfz files?

Graham Metcalfe

I will be interested in reports about people loading their third party content into the new version of Alchemy. Fingers crossed that it works easily, but I’m not holding my breath.

That’s really funny: No comments about the EXS24 support! Could that be the slow end of that trusted old sampler?

Mag66

Yes but so far, I haven’t come across any compatibility issues with my older libs… They all appear to play exactly the same across both versions of the plugin.. Its also worth noting that this update doesn’t affect the original Alchemy 1.5 plugin installation as that is still available as normal within Logic.

Chad

Does anyone know if Alchemy can still load/import custom .sfz files?

jeff

And to think, a Live using friend just asked me if Logic still has that old sampler. Ha, I know you read CDM Josh, catch ya on the granular side hommie.

Chris Catalano

Yup. That little game just got pulled off the Air fast. EXS24 is very much Long in the Tooth, but this is an entirely new Animal.

jeff

And to think, a Live using friend just asked me if Logic still has that old sampler. Ha, I know you read CDM Josh, catch ya on the granular side hommie.

Chris Catalano

Yup. That little game just got pulled off the Air fast. EXS24 is very much Long in the Tooth, but this is an entirely new Animal.

heinrichz

I’m very excited about having Alchemy in Logic now and the fact that i can import Sampler instruments the is huge..so this might actually become a competitor for Kontakt with the granular and spectral functionality.

heinrichz

I’m very excited about having Alchemy in Logic now and the fact that i can import Sampler instruments the is huge..so this might actually become a competitor for Kontakt with the granular and spectral functionality.

Chris Muir

This is great news. I was sad when Camel was shuttered, then provisionally excited when it was reavealed that Apple may had bought them.

Chris Muir

This is great news. I was sad when Camel was shuttered, then provisionally excited when it was reavealed that Apple may had bought them.

Yeah, good for you apple guys. 🙂 At least they(Alchemy guys~former Camel Audio) didn’t shut down completely. I’m on Windows and use almost only Alchemy for my productions. What to do.. 🙂

Jimi LaMort

“What to do?”

Ahh, how about KEEP USING IT! Why does everyone need the latest update, even if it’s software you need to update it or get the latest. I still run a G4 Mac with OS9 because i still love the plugin synths that never came out on OSX!!!

There was no question mark there. 🙂 It was not a cry out. It’s uncomfortable and that’s it. I don’t really care about updated version of Alchemy. Just the lack of newer exciting presets. I’m a lazy bump. 😉

It was available on PC. I paid money for it. I didn’t pirate it. I paid money for it. Now i can’t even download it, if I manage to misplace a backup. Yet the product continues in active development. Not surprisingly, I think there are shills on this forum defending this position, because this is a niche blog and you know their PR makes the rounds.

Mag66

You should always make sure you have backups of everything you purchase online and ensure you do not ‘misplace’ any of it. It’s your responsibility not anyone else’s… and Camel did post lots of info on how to achieve this 7 months ago, repeatedly via many different mediums..

People are 100% within their rights to complain about that. And furthermore, it is part of the reason why it’s tougher to make a value proposition for software as a developer. They’ve got a point.

foljs

You do know that any company could go under or by bought at any minute right? Or that they could decide to stop developing for your platform. When you buy something you buy THAT version, not some contract on its future development.

Besides, do you know how VSTs are Windows only?

Foosnark

Whether there’s a contract or not, it’s generally the norm. Some specifically come with “free updates for life” which winds up adding a lot of value. There had been a lot of talk about a new version of Alchemy coming soonish and some semi-promising rumors.

Don’t expect Windows users to be happy about any of this. (Though I will say, there were months between the announcement and the actual shutdown of the website, and it’s just good practice to save installers/ZIP files when downloading software.)

I don’t really know of any professional software that has free updates for life. I’m in the software business, and more and more I see the market leaning to software-as-a-service (SAS model.) At the most free-updates usually apply to the version you bought. For instance with Logic Pro I paid full price for version 9 and all of the updates in 9.x was available for free, but when they released Logic Pro X, I gladly paid full price for that software as well. It wasn’t a free update because it was an entirely new version number. And that seemed very fair.

schmoj

Exactly. Look at Adobe. Most of their software now requires a subscription to use.

schmoj

Windows users should be unhappy about the fact that the company that made the version for their OS went out of business. Let me reiterate: it went out of business. Apple, a company that develops its own software, platform, and hardware saw it as an opportunity and purchased those assets. Somehow, they saw it as a good business decision. At this point anything that Windows users have to say about this is sour grapes.

Actually, I’m pretty sure some of the people arguing here are not paid Apple shills. 😉

Look, it’s down to this – I understand being upset about it, but here’s the reality around Camel as this has evolved:

When we knew —
1. CamelAudio was shutting its doors: this could have meant the end of everything they meant, forever.

2. Apple bought Camel: this definitely meant any Windows version or plug-in version was gone. What we didn’t know was what we’d see of their software – so it still could have meant a dumbed-down version or that they were only interested in the staff. (Though some of us speculated it’d look more like this.)

3. Apple re-releases Alchemy: the reason this seems like good news to us is that not only is it not dumbed down, it’s a significant upgrade. And there’s a full version inside MainStage for $30. That’s frankly better than I expected, so that’s why we’re taking this as a win.

Never look a gift Camel in the mouth, basically.

Brad Confer

I don’t mean to rub salt in your wound but I’ve got two copies of every dmg file and license code for all my plugins. Hell, I’ve even got a copy of the East West Zip files. Toontrack and East West Samples taught me to do this by being horrible to keep track of. With that, and no OS updates you should be able to run Alchemy for a long while. Sure, no updates. You may still be able to copy the file now. See if you can make a disk image of the application. If you copy the application file and take note of all the library locations and save the support files as well you are likely ok. It’s a heavy work-around but it can work.

Ian Aros

Nothing like good old fashion DVDs if you ask me. I have like 30 of them from East West lol

Yeah, good for you apple guys. 🙂 I’m on Windows and use almost only Alchemy for my productions. What to do.. 🙂
At least they (Alchemy guys~former Camel Audio) didn’t shut down completely. I’m happy to read that the synth still lives.

Jimi LaMort

“What to do?”

Ahh, how about KEEP USING IT! Why does everyone need the latest update, even if it’s software, you don’t need to update it or get the latest release, if the one you have works.. I still run a G4 Mac with OS9 because i still love the plugin synths that never came out on OSX!!!

There was no question mark there. 🙂 It was not a cry out. It’s uncomfortable and that’s it. I don’t really care about updated version of Alchemy. Just the lack of newer exciting presets. I’m a lazy bump. 😉

It was available on PC. I paid money for it. I didn’t pirate it. I paid money for it. Now i can’t even download it, if I manage to misplace a backup. Yet the product continues in active development. Not surprisingly, I think there are shills on this forum defending this position, because this is a niche blog and you know their PR makes the rounds.

Mag66

You should always make sure you have backups of everything you purchase online and ensure you do not ‘misplace’ any of it. It’s your responsibility not anyone else’s… and Camel did post lots of info on how to achieve this 7 months ago, repeatedly via many different mediums..

People are 100% within their rights to complain about that. And furthermore, it is part of the reason why it’s tougher to make a value proposition for software as a developer. They’ve got a point.

foljs

You do know that any company could go under or by bought at any minute right? Or that they could decide to stop developing for your platform. When you buy something you buy THAT version, not some contract on its future development.

Besides, do you know how VSTs are Windows only?

Foosnark

Whether there’s a contract or not, it’s generally the norm. Some specifically come with “free updates for life” which winds up adding a lot of value. There had been a lot of talk about a new version of Alchemy coming soonish and some semi-promising rumors.

Don’t expect Windows users to be happy about any of this. (Though I will say, there were months between the announcement and the actual shutdown of the website, and it’s just good practice to save installers/ZIP files when downloading software.)

I don’t really know of any professional software that has free updates for life. I’m in the software business, and more and more I see the market leaning to software-as-a-service (SAS model.) At the most free-updates usually apply to the version you bought. For instance with Logic Pro I paid full price for version 9 and all of the updates in 9.x was available for free, but when they released Logic Pro X, I gladly paid full price for that software as well. It wasn’t a free update because it was an entirely new version number. And that seemed very fair.

schmoj

Exactly. Look at Adobe. Most of their software now requires a subscription to use.

schmoj

Windows users should be unhappy about the fact that the company that made the version for their OS went out of business. Let me reiterate: it went out of business. Apple, a company that develops its own software, platform, and hardware saw it as an opportunity and purchased those assets. Somehow, they saw it as a good business decision. At this point anything that Windows users have to say about this is sour grapes.

brainburst

That’s Apples fault. VST is a standard that Apple elects not too support

foljs

And why should they?

VST is a standard, but it is not an open standard either (in that multiple companies sit down and define it, like MIDI or OSC), it’s a proprietary format controlled by Steinberg (as to its architecture).

As Apple is an OS vendor on top of being a DAW vendor, having their own standard with AU means they have control over the plugin technology for their whole platform (instead of Steinberg having it), and can fine-tune it for OS X / iOS.

Actually, I’m pretty sure some of the people arguing here are not paid Apple shills. 😉

Look, it’s down to this – I understand being upset about it, but here’s the reality around Camel as this has evolved:

When we knew —
1. CamelAudio was shutting its doors: this could have meant the end of everything they meant, forever.

2. Apple bought Camel: this definitely meant any Windows version or plug-in version was gone. What we didn’t know was what we’d see of their software – so it still could have meant a dumbed-down version or that they were only interested in the staff. (Though some of us speculated it’d look more like this.)

3. Apple re-releases Alchemy: the reason this seems like good news to us is that not only is it not dumbed down, it’s a significant upgrade. And there’s a full version inside MainStage for $30. That’s frankly better than I expected, so that’s why we’re taking this as a win.

Never look a gift Camel in the mouth, basically.

Brad Confer

I don’t mean to rub salt in your wound but I’ve got two copies of every dmg file and license code for all my plugins. Hell, I’ve even got a copy of the East West Zip files. Toontrack and East West Samples taught me to do this by being horrible to keep track of. With that, and no OS updates you should be able to run Alchemy for a long while. Sure, no updates. You may still be able to copy the file now. See if you can make a disk image of the application. If you copy the application file and take note of all the library locations and save the support files as well you are likely ok. It’s a heavy work-around but it can work.

Ian Aros

Nothing like good old fashion DVDs if you ask me. I have like 30 of them from East West lol

Chris Catalano

Unbelievable. The biggest audio software news in at least a year…and at that price? Nothing touches it for bang for buck…even haters will probably admit that. Alchemy is brilliant, and the sounds CLEARLY have less artifacting and unacceptable noise than the fantastic, lost iOS version. Hopefully they wake that beast up too…Nice work Apple, you have redeemed yourself again in my books with this incredibly generous integration…

Chris Catalano

Unbelievable. The biggest audio software news in at least a year…and at that price? Nothing touches it for bang for buck…even haters will probably admit that. Alchemy is brilliant, and the sounds CLEARLY have less artifacting and unacceptable noise than the fantastic, lost iOS version. Hopefully they wake that beast up too…Nice work Apple, you have redeemed yourself again in my books with this incredibly generous integration…

Yermom

I think there should be a class-action lawsuit. It seems like bad ethics
for a company to sell to another company for a product they intend to
include in a new product, while discontinuing support for an old one. It
is an artificial problem created to manipulate customers while keeping
the thing that brought the value to the company in the first place.

I
think it’s absolutely shady that Apple and Camel Audio agreed to do
this when they knew they wanted Alchemy and they have who knows how many
customers that slapped their money down for an intangible product that
is still being developed, and is flat-out no longer available to the
paying customers. I certainly hope someone sues Apple over this, even if
I just get a $10 coupon. This is bullshit.

Space Captain

You are making claims that have no evidence. If company A buys company B it is highly unlikely that company B knows exactly what company A is going to do with assets and any intellectual property. If Camel Audio was selling it’s products after contracts were signed (highly unlikely) there might be grounds for some kind of lawsuit by those that bought after otherwise this is just normal business.

Yermom

The evidence is that there was a product called Alchemy. I paid for it. Now there’s a product exactly like Alchemy. It’s in Logic. What more evidence do I need? If Apple is going to offer the same product which came with the purchase, they should be obligated to support legacy customers OR AT THE VERY LEAST make legacy versions of the software available to paying customers.

Space Captain

Apple is under no obligation to support Alchemy. The offered service for 7 months as they stated below. After that no one knew what Apple was planning with the IP. We now know. You paid Camel Audio which no longer exists. IF your software still works, I’m not sure what the problem is.

Robert Sermeño

You’re wasting your time and energy on this. When Apple acquired eMagic back in 2002, they immediately stopped developing Logic for the PC platform and killed off the eMagic brand name:

The only thing pissing you off really is that you won’t get a cheap cross-grade to version 2.0. But that’s never guaranteed anyway, Camel Audio might as well have gone out of business. Which is basically the same scenario as you are seeing now.

You can’t be pissed at Apple for buying them out, you can be pissed at Camel Audio for selling themselves out. Nobody forced them.

Yermom

I can be pissed. I’ve paid for upgrades for other products in the past. I’m pissed that the difference between hardware, software, software developers bitching about piracy, and then pulling shit like this.

Plokhi

Not sure I understand your post entirely. I guess this is also why some developers are switching to subscription models. You don’t ever buy anything.

I mean, if I weren’t a Logic user I’d probably be a little pissed too, especially because this means there won’t be any service updates in case a new OS breaks it. Trade off, you can keep using current versions forever though.

Plokhi

Not sure I understand your post entirely. I guess this is also why some developers are switching to subscription models. You don’t ever buy anything.

I mean, if I weren’t a Logic user I’d probably be a little pissed too, especially because this means there won’t be any service updates in case a new OS breaks it. Trade off, you can keep using current versions forever though.

Plokhi

Not sure I understand your post entirely. I guess this is also why some developers are switching to subscription models. You don’t ever buy anything.

I mean, if I weren’t a Logic user I’d probably be a little pissed too, especially because this means there won’t be any service updates in case a new OS breaks it. Trade off, you can keep using current versions forever though.

Apoclypse

Lol How are you going to pirate Alchemy? It’s no longer available on anything but Logic. Even so this is just you feeling entitled because you think you are owed something. You aren’t owed anything. You paid for your product correct? If you are on a PC the product your paid for still works, correct? So what’s the issue again?

Apple isn’t the only company that has done this and they won’t be the last. When a company buys another especially for intellectual assets it’s to enhance their own products not their competitors. I can name numerous products and companies where this has happened.

schmoj

Welcome to the world of software. The longer and more of it you buy, you’ll see that this is standard practice.

Space Captain

“January 8, 2015

We would like to thank you for the support we’ve received over the years in our efforts to create instruments and effects plug-ins and sound libraries.

Camel Audio’s plug-ins, Alchemy Mobile IAPs and sound libraries are no longer available for purchase. We will continue to provide downloads of your previous purchases and email support until July 7, 2015. We recommend you download all of your purchases and back them up so that you can continue to use them (Instructions: How to Download and Backup Your Products).”

I think they did what they had to do legally. 7 months after closure seems reasonable.

Yermom

I think there should be a class-action lawsuit. It seems like bad ethics
for a company to sell to another company for a product they intend to
include in a new product, while discontinuing support for an old one. It
is an artificial problem created to manipulate customers while keeping
the thing that brought the value to the company in the first place.

I
think it’s absolutely shady that Apple and Camel Audio agreed to do
this when they knew they wanted Alchemy and they have who knows how many
customers that slapped their money down for an intangible product that
is still being developed, and is flat-out no longer available to the
paying customers. I certainly hope someone sues Apple over this, even if
I just get a $10 coupon. This is bullshit.

Space Captain

You are making claims that have no evidence. If company A buys company B it is highly unlikely that company B knows exactly what company A is going to do with assets and any intellectual property. If Camel Audio was selling it’s products after contracts were signed (highly unlikely) there might be grounds for some kind of lawsuit by those that bought after otherwise this is just normal business.

Yermom

The evidence is that there was a product called Alchemy. I paid for it. Now there’s a product exactly like Alchemy. It’s in Logic. What more evidence do I need? If Apple is going to offer the same product which came with the purchase, they should be obligated to support legacy customers OR AT THE VERY LEAST make legacy versions of the software available to paying customers. This is like bait and switch after you’ve already paid.

Space Captain

Apple is under no obligation to support Alchemy. The offered service for 7 months as they stated below. After that no one knew what Apple was planning with the IP. We now know. You paid Camel Audio which no longer exists. IF your software still works, I’m not sure what the problem is.

Robert Sermeño

You’re wasting your time and energy on this. When Apple acquired eMagic back in 2002, they immediately stopped developing Logic for the PC platform and killed off the eMagic brand name:

The only thing pissing you off really is that you won’t get a cheap cross-grade to version 2.0. But that’s never guaranteed anyway, Camel Audio might as well have gone out of business. Which is basically the same scenario as you are seeing now.

You can’t be pissed at Apple for buying them out, you can be pissed at Camel Audio for selling themselves out. Nobody forced them.

Yermom

I can be pissed. I’ve paid for upgrades for other products in the past. I’m pissed that the difference between hardware, software, software developers bitching about piracy, and then pulling shit like this.

Plokhi

Not sure I understand your post entirely. I guess this is also why some developers are switching to subscription models. You don’t ever buy anything.

I mean, if I weren’t a Logic user I’d probably be a little pissed too, especially because this means there won’t be any service updates in case a new OS breaks it. Trade off, you can keep using current versions forever though.

Plokhi

Not sure I understand your post entirely. I guess this is also why some developers are switching to subscription models. You don’t ever buy anything.

I mean, if I weren’t a Logic user I’d probably be a little pissed too, especially because this means there won’t be any service updates in case a new OS breaks it. Trade off, you can keep using current versions forever though.

Plokhi

Not sure I understand your post entirely. I guess this is also why some developers are switching to subscription models. You don’t ever buy anything.

I mean, if I weren’t a Logic user I’d probably be a little pissed too, especially because this means there won’t be any service updates in case a new OS breaks it. Trade off, you can keep using current versions forever though.

Apoclypse

Lol How are you going to pirate Alchemy? It’s no longer available on anything but Logic. Even so this is just you feeling entitled because you think you are owed something. You aren’t owed anything. You paid for your product correct? If you are on a PC the product your paid for still works, correct? So what’s the issue again?

Apple isn’t the only company that has done this and they won’t be the last. When a company buys another especially for intellectual assets it’s to enhance their own products not their competitors. I can name numerous products and companies where this has happened.

schmoj

Welcome to the world of software. The longer and more of it you buy, you’ll see that this is standard practice.

Also, read your license agreement. You’ll see that it says it was sold to you “as is.” The company makes no guarantees about providing future versions or support. Welcome to the adult world.

Space Captain

“January 8, 2015

We would like to thank you for the support we’ve received over the years in our efforts to create instruments and effects plug-ins and sound libraries.

Camel Audio’s plug-ins, Alchemy Mobile IAPs and sound libraries are no longer available for purchase. We will continue to provide downloads of your previous purchases and email support until July 7, 2015. We recommend you download all of your purchases and back them up so that you can continue to use them (Instructions: How to Download and Backup Your Products).”

I think they did what they had to do legally. 7 months after closure seems reasonable.

Jim Woolfe

Thanks Camel Audio for screwing us up the A***rse. All of that investment in a soft synth and 3rd party presets and now unless you are a logic user you are out of luck. Still can’t say that I blame them. After all it’s their business to do what they like with and they will have made a tidy sum. Why give a toss about your loyal customers when you get the chance to sell out. I just hope that this does not become a trend and other software developers follow suit.

Space Captain

I really don’t get your anger here. You paid for an application that worked when you bought it. Does it still work? You are not paying for some future updates. You are paying for the product you get when you buy it. That’s it, nothing more. At some point all software becomes obsolete. Is the point of the game to own the software or make something with it.

Yermom

I’m going to start pirating software rather than paying for it. I really don’t get your anger here.

Jim Woolfe

Hi Space captain. Let me try to explain. When I buy software I am hopefully buying a product that will be supported by the developer. What that means is that the software will continue to be updated as operating systems change and enhanced so that it becomes more powerful. Maybe all software does become obsolete but I have owned Dreamweaver and Photoshop for over 10 years and those programs are still going. Yes I have to pay for upgrades but I am happy with that. I get it that these are businesses and they have to make money to continue to support their product. I do not and have nether pirated software and do not intend to do so. I want to support the industry and I suppose in my naive way of looking at things hope that in return developers will remain loyal to me.
Now if Camel Audio and Apple had decided that they would continue to allow non Logic users to use the software then to me that would have been fine. A big part of the fun for me is buying add ons and enjoying upgrades. One thing that attached me to Alchemy was the great collection of expansion sounds.

You see Space Captain the fact is that this particular software has not become obsolete. It is still available to Logic users and that disappoints me that two companies can have zero regard for users such as myself.

Freeks

“When I buy software I am hopefully buying a product that will be supported by the developer. ”

You put a lot hope there for small developers. It’s fairly easy to say that most small developers will shut their business eventually. It’s really not that good business for anyone.

Adobe is HUGE company while plugin developers are mostly 1-2 person companies. You can’t expect them to give lifetime support. They might be older than you and die before you do 😉

Learn to live with the fact that most of your plugins will not work in the future OS’s. In this case it’s better that even Apple user can enjoy it as option was that nobody could use it anymore.

Jim Woolfe

I doubt if they will be older than me 😉

You make a valid point but I still don’t like it and am not sure that I want to learn to live with it. The point with this is Apple could have released this as a VST if they had so wished but they chose not to and its my guess that Camel were fully aware of this when the deal was done. Im an Apple user but I do not use Logic and are unlikely to so that rules me out. Oh, and it wasn’t like Camel needed to do this unless there is something that I am not aware of. After they announced that they were closing I checked their last set of accounts via companies house as I was interested to find out if they had gone bust. They had a good balance sheet.

Maybe I should take your advice on board, carefully consider what software I buy in the future and steer clear of small developers or maybe just stick to buying hardware.

Jim Woolfe

I doubt if they are older than me 😉 If I am honest I have never really thought about it like this. I must say that as a consumer it does not fill me full of confidence. I you are right which I think you are then maybe I should stick to products from larger developers to reduce the risk of this happening to me again or just stick to Hardware. My trusty ASR 10 is still going strong and they went out of business years ago.

jsd

You bought that ASR-10. Presumably you got your money’s worth out of that purchase. Is it still supported?

If Camel Audio had gone out of business, you’d be in exactly the same boat. You still have the software. It still works the same and makes the same sounds. Hopefully you feel like you got your money’s worth out of that initial purchase, same as with the ASR-10.

Jim Woolfe

You know I think that every one that is commenting back to me is missing my point here. Its not about getting my moneys worth. Yes I have and yes I still own the software and still use it. I am sure that you are aware jsd that Ensonic have been out of business for years so no, the ASR 10 is no longer supported. However if one day Apple update my operating system to the point when Alchemy 1.5 no longer works then thats it. Yea my ASR could blow up on me there is a chance that I could get it fixed.

For me I guess that Its more about the disapointment of not being able to enjoy future upgrades and add ons. Take Omnisphere. So Spectrasonics bring out version 2 and wow, Its like I have a whole new instrument. Now I love that about software and it is a big advantage over hardware, probably the reason why most of my hard earned readies over the last few years have been spent on software. So if I lose that benefit with a piece of software that I have then it takes away a big incentive for me to buy into software. Now I don’t think that is a good thing for the software houses or third party library developers as I start to become more reluctant to purchase.

Look I do understand that it was Camels business and it is their right to do what they wanted with it. I just wish that when they decided to call it a day they had more consideration for their loyal customers. There must have been other software developers out there that would have been interested in taking it on. Maybe Apple had the biggest wallet and they went for the cash. I would have probably done the same thing in their situation 😉

schmoj

I think we understand what you are saying. It’s just that I don’t think you understand the business of software development and the direction it is heading. That trend is forced upgrades of version, OS, and hardware. There are no guarantees that the setup you have today will be supported tomorrow. And I can guarantee you it won’t be supported in 5 years. The only time software/hardware guarantee support for older versions is when they are contractually bound. This happens in enterprise software where companies invest millions of dollars in a specific system. BUT, even companies like IBM, Oracle, etc. who manufacture these systems are trying to get out of the game of supporting an old version for 10 years.

Jim Woolfe

I do understand the business of software development. I run a successful business that uses PCs and we have had to put up substandard software upgrades for years !! ( hello Windows ). My disappointment was that Camel Audio sold to a company that would effectively take the software off open sale and integrate it into their flagship DAW.

Jim Woolfe

Thanks Camel Audio for screwing us up the A***rse. All of that investment in a soft synth and 3rd party presets and now unless you are a logic user you are out of luck. Still can’t say that I blame them. After all it’s their business to do what they like with and they will have made a tidy sum. Why give a toss about your loyal customers when you get the chance to sell out. I just hope that this does not become a trend and other software developers follow suit.

Space Captain

I really don’t get your anger here. You paid for an application that worked when you bought it. Does it still work? You are not paying for some future updates. You are paying for the product you get when you buy it. That’s it, nothing more. At some point all software becomes obsolete. Is the point of the game to own the software or make something with it.

Yermom

I’m going to start pirating software rather than paying for it. I really don’t get your anger here. I see your activity is private. You wouldn’t have a dog in this hunt outside of being a customer would you?

Jim Woolfe

Hi Space captain. Let me try to explain. When I buy software I am hopefully buying a product that will be supported by the developer. What that means is that the software will continue to be updated as operating systems change and enhanced so that it becomes more powerful. Maybe all software does become obsolete but I have owned Dreamweaver and Photoshop for over 10 years and those programs are still going. Yes I have to pay for upgrades but I am happy with that. I get it that these are businesses and they have to make money to continue to support their product. I do not and have nether pirated software and do not intend to do so. I want to support the industry and I suppose in my naive way of looking at things hope that in return developers will remain loyal to me.
Now if Camel Audio and Apple had decided that they would continue to allow non Logic users to use the software then to me that would have been fine. A big part of the fun for me is buying add ons and enjoying upgrades. One thing that attached me to Alchemy was the great collection of expansion sounds.

You see Space Captain the fact is that this particular software has not become obsolete. It is still available to Logic users and that disappoints me that two companies can have zero regard for users such as myself.

Freeks

“When I buy software I am hopefully buying a product that will be supported by the developer. ”

You put a lot hope there for small developers. It’s fairly easy to say that most small developers will shut their business eventually. It’s really not that good business for anyone.

Adobe is HUGE company while plugin developers are mostly 1-2 person companies. You can’t expect them to give lifetime support. They might be older than you and die before you do 😉

Learn to live with the fact that most of your plugins will not work in the future OS’s. In this case it’s better that even Apple user can enjoy it as option was that nobody could use it anymore.

Jim Woolfe

I doubt if they will be older than me 😉

You make a valid point but I still don’t like it and am not sure that I want to learn to live with it. The point with this is Apple could have released this as a VST if they had so wished but they chose not to and its my guess that Camel were fully aware of this when the deal was done. Im an Apple user but I do not use Logic and are unlikely to so that rules me out. Oh, and it wasn’t like Camel needed to do this unless there is something that I am not aware of. After they announced that they were closing I checked their last set of accounts via companies house as I was interested to find out if they had gone bust. They had a good balance sheet.

Maybe I should take your advice on board, carefully consider what software I buy in the future and steer clear of small developers or maybe just stick to buying hardware.

Jim Woolfe

I doubt if they are older than me 😉 If I am honest I have never really thought about it like this. I must say that as a consumer it does not fill me full of confidence. I you are right which I think you are then maybe I should stick to products from larger developers to reduce the risk of this happening to me again or just stick to Hardware. My trusty ASR 10 is still going strong and they went out of business years ago.

jsd

You bought that ASR-10. Presumably you got your money’s worth out of that purchase. Is it still supported?

If Camel Audio had gone out of business, you’d be in exactly the same boat. You still have the software. It still works the same and makes the same sounds. Hopefully you feel like you got your money’s worth out of that initial purchase, same as with the ASR-10.

Jim Woolfe

You know I think that every one that is commenting back to me is missing my point here. Its not about getting my moneys worth. Yes I have and yes I still own the software and still use it. I am sure that you are aware jsd that Ensonic have been out of business for years so no, the ASR 10 is no longer supported. However if one day Apple update my operating system to the point when Alchemy 1.5 no longer works then thats it. Yea my ASR could blow up on me there is a chance that I could get it fixed.

For me I guess that Its more about the disapointment of not being able to enjoy future upgrades and add ons. Take Omnisphere. So Spectrasonics bring out version 2 and wow, Its like I have a whole new instrument. Now I love that about software and it is a big advantage over hardware, probably the reason why most of my hard earned readies over the last few years have been spent on software. So if I lose that benefit with a piece of software that I have then it takes away a big incentive for me to buy into software. Now I don’t think that is a good thing for the software houses or third party library developers as I start to become more reluctant to purchase.

Look I do understand that it was Camels business and it is their right to do what they wanted with it. I just wish that when they decided to call it a day they had more consideration for their loyal customers. There must have been other software developers out there that would have been interested in taking it on. Maybe Apple had the biggest wallet and they went for the cash. I would have probably done the same thing in their situation 😉

schmoj

I think we understand what you are saying. It’s just that I don’t think you understand the business of software development and the direction it is heading. That trend is forced upgrades of version, OS, and hardware. There are no guarantees that the setup you have today will be supported tomorrow. And I can guarantee you it won’t be supported in 5 years. The only time software/hardware guarantee support for older versions is when they are contractually bound. This happens in enterprise software where companies invest millions of dollars in a specific system. BUT, even companies like IBM, Oracle, etc. who manufacture these systems are trying to get out of the game of supporting an old version for 10 years.

Jim Woolfe

I do understand the business of software development. I run a successful business that uses PCs and we have had to put up substandard software upgrades for years !! ( hello Windows ). My disappointment was that Camel Audio sold to a company that would effectively take the software off open sale and integrate it into their flagship DAW.

Richard Cheese

Fuck Apple and fuck Camel Audio too.

Mag66

I take it that you are not happy with the gem of a bit of news?

🙂

schmoj

That’s ok. There’s lot’s of happiness here!

Christer

That’s a bit harsh . .

Richard Cheese

Fuck Apple and fuck Camel Audio too.

Mag66

I take it that you are not happy with this little gem of news?

🙂

schmoj

That’s ok. There’s lot’s of happiness here!

Christer

That’s a bit harsh . .

talos72

copy that.

Mark Kilborn

So I’ve installed the update, downloaded all the extended content, loaded Alchemy, and none of the content is showing up. “Refreshing library” it says. It’s been stuck halfway done for the last half hour. Anyone else?

jonebarker

Click “Logic Pro X” in the menu bar, select “Download Additional Content” You will see the extended libraries in the list.

Ralph Stover

Same here. The download page says the additional content is installed but Alchemy does’t see any of it. Just stays stuck at “Refreshing Library”… Looks like a bug, any one else having this issue?

Mag66

In the Alchemy interface, click on the File button to the right of the preset name window, and then click on the refresh libraries option again. It sometimes takes two clicks to get it to fully refresh all the content.

Simon-Claudius

Same here.

Mark Kilborn

So I’ve installed the update, downloaded all the extended content, loaded Alchemy, and none of the content is showing up. “Refreshing library” it says. It’s been stuck halfway done for the last half hour. Anyone else?

jonebarker

Click “Logic Pro X” in the menu bar, select “Download Additional Content” You will see the extended libraries in the list.

Ralph Stover

Same here. The download page says the additional content is installed but Alchemy does’t see any of it. Just stays stuck at “Refreshing Library”… Looks like a bug, any one else having this issue?

Mag66

In the Alchemy interface, click on the File button to the right of the preset name window, and then click on the refresh libraries option again. It sometimes takes two clicks to get it to fully refresh all the content.

Simon-Claudius

Same here.

K Koenigsson

That Gobbler thing needs perhaps to be looked into in mor detail. Here is an excerpt from the license agreement: “Therefore, by making your Customer Content available for uploading, posting, hosting or displaying through the Service, you grant to Gobbler a worldwide, royalty-free, non-exclusive, sub-licensable license to reproduce, adapt, modify, translate, publish, transfer, display, perform, store, distribute and otherwise use the Customer Content, solely for the purpose of enabling Gobbler to provide the Service. This license in no way affects the private nature of information you post. ”

I am not sure that I really like this carte blanche license to Gobbler on all my work.

dabravanel

The important thing to note there is “solely for the purpose of enabling Gobbler to provide the Service.” We aren’t looking to steal your music and make money off it, or to share/publish it against your will – and you certainly aren’t giving us those rights by agreeing to the TOS. This section of the TOS addresses rights that we need in order to provide Gobbler as a service.

See also these explanatory sentences, from earlier in the same paragraph: “You retain copyright and any other rights you already hold in your Customer Content, except as otherwise specifically provided in these Terms. However, Gobbler needs certain rights to store, transmit, adapt and otherwise use the Customer Content you provide in order to provide you with the Service.”

That Gobbler thing needs perhaps to be looked into in mor detail. Here is an excerpt from the license agreement: “Therefore, by making your Customer Content available for uploading, posting, hosting or displaying through the Service, you grant to Gobbler a worldwide, royalty-free, non-exclusive, sub-licensable license to reproduce, adapt, modify, translate, publish, transfer, display, perform, store, distribute and otherwise use the Customer Content, solely for the purpose of enabling Gobbler to provide the Service. This license in no way affects the private nature of information you post. ”

I am not sure that I really like this carte blanche license to Gobbler on all my work.

dabravanel

The important thing to note there is “solely for the purpose of enabling Gobbler to provide the Service.” We aren’t looking to steal your music and make money off it, or to share/publish it against your will – and you certainly aren’t giving us those rights by agreeing to the TOS. This section of the TOS addresses rights that we need in order to provide Gobbler as a service.

See also these explanatory sentences, from earlier in the same paragraph: “You retain copyright and any other rights you already hold in your Customer Content, except as otherwise specifically provided in these Terms. However, Gobbler needs certain rights to store, transmit, adapt and otherwise use the Customer Content you provide in order to provide you with the Service.”

It’s so cheap! It only costs the price of an Apple computer to run my music software! BARGAIN.

Plokhi

Hm, is anyone pointing a gun at your forehead?

guest@guest

Oh lordy, get off the tall white horse.

Brad Confer

Uh…massive costs 200. Pro tools is 900. Or you can rent it. And you get to lug around an iLock. Oh joy. I’ve got logic running on a $200 iMac I got off ebay. Old core 2 duo 2.5. It’ll load about 25 or so heavy synth/reverb tracks before it gets angry. I used the logic benchmark file. I mean my interface, pre-amp, and monitors cost a hell of a lot more than my studio computer. The venerable quad core mini! Nevermind cables, mics, stands, room treatment. You’re in the wrong game if you think $500 is too much to spend. Normally I wouldn’t want to feed the trolls but I’m also a teacher. I’d hate to see any up and comings swayed from looking into logic because of these silly perpetuated myths.

Christer

All you need to do is move accross to Apple if you want the supported version of the software you invested in.

guest@guest

It’s so cheap! It only costs the price of an Apple computer to run my music software! BARGAIN.

Plokhi

Hm, is anyone pointing a gun at your forehead?

guest@guest

Oh lordy, get off the tall white horse.

Brad Confer

Uh…massive costs 200. Pro tools is 900. Or you can rent it. And you get to lug around an iLock. Oh joy. I’ve got logic running on a $200 iMac I got off ebay. Old core 2 duo 2.5. It’ll load about 25 or so heavy synth/reverb tracks before it gets angry. I used the logic benchmark file. I mean my interface, pre-amp, and monitors cost a hell of a lot more than my studio computer. The venerable quad core mini! Nevermind cables, mics, stands, room treatment. You’re in the wrong game if you think $500 is too much to spend. Normally I wouldn’t want to feed the trolls but I’m also a teacher. I’d hate to see any up and comings swayed from looking into logic because of these silly perpetuated myths.

Christer

All you need to do is move accross to Apple if you want the supported version of the software you invested in.

TheDrHoward

Well, I Still Have Version 1.25 Running on Mtn. Lion.. I have yet to be inclined to update any further, despite the little bells and whistles that have been added with LPX 10.1, and now 10.2. If it ain’t broke.. Man, That Technology Treadmill’s A Bitch!

Also, I notice the trend toward supporting EDM.. Don’t get me wrong, I love electronic music, but I’m also a jazz guy, and a rock guy, and a classical guy, and… JUST don’t dumb shit down, Apple! My 3¢

Yeah, though ironically, that was rather my point — the “EDM” craze means that suddenly pretty obscure features having to do with modulation routing have become commercial. And since “EDM” says simply electronic production tools to developers, that means generally thinking about more advanced features in the DAW itself.

I would say that in the end, it’s pretty impossible to think of tools in terms of genre or beginning / advanced users. And I can also say that I met with Massive’s developers before that synth became the sound of a lot of so-called “dubstep” “EDM” basslines. Their pitch was, “hey, we think this will be something synth nerds will really like.”

So I am 100% with you. I care about non-electronic, non-dance music, too. And it’s funny how often there’s overlap between what people need making completely different types of music.

TheDrHoward

Well, I Still Have Version 1.25 Running on Mtn. Lion.. I have yet to be inclined to update any further, despite the little bells and whistles that have been added with LPX 10.1, and now 10.2. If it ain’t broke.. Man, That Technology Treadmill’s A Bitch!

Also, I notice the trend toward supporting EDM.. Don’t get me wrong, I love electronic music, but I’m also a jazz guy, and a rock guy, and a classical guy, and… JUST don’t dumb shit down, Apple! My 3¢

Yeah, though ironically, that was rather my point — the “EDM” craze means that suddenly pretty obscure features having to do with modulation routing have become commercial. And since “EDM” says simply electronic production tools to developers, that means generally thinking about more advanced features in the DAW itself.

I would say that in the end, it’s pretty impossible to think of tools in terms of genre or beginning / advanced users. And I can also say that I met with Massive’s developers before that synth became the sound of a lot of so-called “dubstep” “EDM” basslines. Their pitch was, “hey, we think this will be something synth nerds will really like.”

So I am 100% with you. I care about non-electronic, non-dance music, too. And it’s funny how often there’s overlap between what people need making completely different types of music.

Lloyd Barrett

Is it still possibly to install and run the Alchemy library from an external? I’d much rather not have 14GB of content filling up my tiny SSD.

Yes! Just copy the “Alchemy Samples” folder from Macintosh HD > Library > Application Support > Logic to your external drive, and replace the original folder with an alias (or even better, a symbolic link!)

Yeah, I agree with you. It’s a hassle, esp. considering most other third-party sample libraries give you the option to install the content wherever you want.

The tutorial you linked to is exactly what you want. The main drawback is that Logic will give you a false notification that you haven’t installed your sample libraries in the Download Additional Content window.

What the tutorial doesn’t mention is that if you create symbolic links of your sample folders (instead of normal aliases), this error message goes away! But to create a symbolic link, you either have to type in some commands in Terminal, or download a utility like SymbolicLinker: http://www.macupdate.com/app/mac/10433/symboliclinker

The main difference is that Symbolic Links are on the file system level and they use the path name. If you ever move your folders, you’ll have to create new shortcuts. Hope this helps!

Lloyd Barrett

Is it still possibly to install and run the Alchemy library from an external? I’d much rather not have 14GB of content filling up my tiny SSD.

Yes! Just copy the “Alchemy Samples” folder from Macintosh HD > Library > Application Support > Logic to your external drive, and replace the original folder with an alias (or even better, a symbolic link!)

Yeah, I agree with you. It’s a hassle, esp. considering most other third-party sample libraries give you the option to install the content wherever you want.

The tutorial you linked to is exactly what you want. The main drawback is that Logic will give you a false notification that you haven’t installed your sample libraries in the Download Additional Content window.

What the tutorial doesn’t mention is that if you create symbolic links of your sample folders (instead of normal aliases), this error message goes away! But to create a symbolic link, you either have to type in some commands in Terminal, or download a utility like SymbolicLinker: http://www.macupdate.com/app/mac/10433/symboliclinker

The main difference is that Symbolic Links are on the file system level and they use the path name. If you ever move your folders, you’ll have to create new shortcuts. Hope this helps!

Polite Society

Gobbler looks like something i need in my life, but seems pretty tightly linked to logic/apple. Can anyone recommend a more system/daw agnostic collaboration site that’s worked for them? Specially it needs to be easy enough for non-tech savvy band members to be able to add their takes to a work in progress. I’ve used ohmstudio, but the installation of software, and having to learn that software usually scares people off.

Chris Kantrowitz

you can use Gobbler outside of Logic as well.

Polite Society

But not outside of apple os at the moment, according to their website.

It’s absolutely platform agnostic. On the other hand, the direct integration in Logic could mean other DAWs will follow.

Polite Society

Gobbler looks like something i need in my life, but seems pretty tightly linked to logic/apple. Can anyone recommend a more system/daw agnostic collaboration site that’s worked for them? Specially it needs to be easy enough for non-tech savvy band members to be able to add their takes to a work in progress. I’ve used ohmstudio, but the installation of software, and having to learn that software usually scares people off.

Chris Kantrowitz

you can use Gobbler outside of Logic as well.

Polite Society

But not outside of apple os at the moment, according to their website.

2 years on and still getting major free updates, I can’t complain here! Looking forwarded to trying this out!

Random Chance

Technically, I have no problem with this because I’ll get a new synth via a free update, but I hope that this does not become a trend. Apple’s pockets are deep enough that they could buy out many small plugin makers if they wanted to. A scary though.

schmoj

I wouldn’t get too paranoid. They bought a company that was already going out of business. I’m sure they picked up the assets very cheaply. That’s hardly a trend of acquisitions.

Random Chance

Technically, I have no problem with this because I’ll get a new synth via a free update, but I hope that this does not become a trend. Apple’s pockets are deep enough that they could buy out many small plugin makers if they wanted to. A scary though.

schmoj

I wouldn’t get too paranoid. They bought a company that was already going out of business. I’m sure they picked up the assets very cheaply. That’s hardly a trend of acquisitions.

Nathanael Davenport

I’m calling BS on the reduced CPU usage. Alchemy is far and away the most CPU-intensive instrument in Logic – and that includes my healthy collection of 3rd party software instruments. Even at conservative buffer settings, many of the patches use up over half of the available CPU cycles on one processor core – even on “Draft” quality setting. That’s kind of steep.

Nathanael Davenport

I’m calling BS on the reduced CPU usage. Alchemy is far and away the most CPU-intensive instrument in Logic – and that includes my healthy collection of 3rd party software instruments. Even at conservative buffer settings, many of the patches use up over half of the available CPU cycles on one processor core – even on “Draft” quality setting. That’s kind of steep.

Apoclypse

Excited about this but can;t wait to see their other plugins make a debut. (CamelPhat!).

Apoclypse

Excited about this but can;t wait to see their other plugins make a debut. (CamelPhat!).

NewShimmer76

I’d say Apple got their money’s worth with the Camel Audio acquisition. I hope the Camel people are being treated well.

master chain

We aren’t being treated at all. I just called Apple customer support to ask about what sort of support we Camel Audio customers will receive for the product. The guy I talked to didn’t know anything about the acquisition and put me on hold to inquire in the office if anyone else there knew anything. They didn’t. I asked in as many different ways as I could think if there was another department I could talk to about it and basically the best he could suggest was to call the Logic department, but stressed that they basically just do troubleshooting. I have not been able to get ahold of anyone who will answer my question, and even if I could, I know what the answer is going to be: if I want to get any Alchemy support, I’d have to buy Logic. Make no mistake, even if an Alchemy-like product has been integrated into Logic and Mainstage, it is not Alchemy. Alchemy was a plugin that could be used in any host that supported VST or AU, which is not something you can say about this new product. I’m pretty upset.

NewShimmer76

I’d say Apple got their money’s worth with the Camel Audio acquisition. I hope the Camel people are being treated well.

master chain

We aren’t being treated at all. I just called Apple customer support to ask about what sort of support we Camel Audio customers will receive for the product. The guy I talked to didn’t know anything about the acquisition and put me on hold to inquire in the office if anyone else there knew anything. They didn’t. I asked in as many different ways as I could think if there was another department I could talk to about it and basically the best he could suggest was to call the Logic department, but stressed that they basically just do troubleshooting. I have not been able to get ahold of anyone who will answer my question, and even if I could, I know what the answer is going to be: if I want to get any Alchemy support, I’d have to buy Logic. Make no mistake, even if an Alchemy-like product has been integrated into Logic and Mainstage, it is not Alchemy. Alchemy was a plugin that could be used in any host that supported VST or AU, which is not something you can say about this new product. I’m pretty upset.

So, will this be Apple’s choice in entering the Eurorack world? #startarumor 🙂

Paul Chauncy

Just to be clear – if I were to buy Mainstage, would I then have access to the Alchemy AU in other AU compatible DAWs?

nothingnatural

Unfortunately, Logic and Mainstage instruments all live exclusively in those two applications. What’s more, Both Logic and MS won’t play nice with ReWire. You can route the audio from MS to your DAW via SoundFlower, but MS and therefore all of its instruments won’t run in slave mode.

Paul Chauncy

Just to be clear – if I were to buy Mainstage, would I then have access to the Alchemy AU in other AU compatible DAWs?

nothingnatural

Unfortunately, Logic and Mainstage instruments all live exclusively in those two applications. What’s more, Both Logic and MS won’t play nice with ReWire. You can route the audio from MS to your DAW via SoundFlower, but MS and therefore all of its instruments won’t run in slave mode.

I bought Alchemy, CamelPhat and the modulation Camel thingy plus some sound banks for my Cubase / Mac. Now the investment goes down the drain as soon as the first update to OS or application changes something crucial.
Should have used a cracked version and spent the money on holidays with my kids.
PISSED OFF!

Ian Aros

Don’t feel bad bro, there’s people that paid $14,000 for a 50″ plasma TV when they came out. My advice…don’t update your mac and it will run forever, every time you update your OS on apple products they tend to run slower and slower. Also I don’t know if all your Alchemy expansions come with the apple version so if you keep using the old one you might have a winner.

I bought Alchemy, CamelPhat and the modulation Camel thingy plus some sound banks for my Cubase / Mac. Now the investment goes down the drain as soon as the first update to OS or application changes something crucial.
Should have used a cracked version and spent the money on holidays with my kids.
PISSED OFF!

Ian Aros

Don’t feel bad bro, there’s people that paid $14,000 for a 50″ plasma TV when they came out. My advice…don’t update your mac and it will run forever, every time you update your OS on apple products they tend to run slower and slower. Also I don’t know if all your Alchemy expansions come with the apple version so if you keep using the old one you might have a winner.

feel study

i wish apple would buy LennarDigital and get Sylenth1 up to 64 bit!! 🙂

feel study

i wish apple would buy LennarDigital and get Sylenth1 up to 64 bit!! 🙂

ang toro

It is really sad .-( that many presets in garageband 10.1.0 do not work anymore because this new update for Alchemy/ Mainstage 3. Knows somebody the solution?

ang toro

It is really sad .-( that many presets in garageband 10.1.0 do not work anymore because this new update for Alchemy/ Mainstage 3. Knows somebody the solution?

Christer

We should thank Apple again for sorting things out for us. Ok you might have recently forked out for Alchemy and libraries for it, maybe Camel Space & Camel Phat too.
About time if you took music seriously to realise the guys at Cupertino know more than you would ever know.
Why struggle with other DAWs and Windows and keep wasting your money?
Get a Mac, learn to use Garageband ( it’s free) then upgrade to Logic – Apple have made it the same as GarageBand for you. Then you can use Alchemy still. I can’t see what the issue is.
You can forget all you learnt about that weird SFZ sample format that Camel insisted we used – glad the Apple guys told them to drop that nonsense.
You never know Apple might do what they did when they pissed off all those Emagic users on the PC when they made it Mac only – they created a reduced upgrade for those people if they moved over to the Mac.
No other company helps you get it right like this.

master chain

How much did Apple pay you to say that?

Christer

We should thank Apple again for sorting things out for us. Ok you might have recently forked out for Alchemy and libraries for it, maybe Camel Space & Camel Phat too.
About time if you took music seriously to realise the guys at Cupertino know more than you would ever know.
Why struggle with other DAWs and Windows and keep wasting your money?
Get a Mac, learn to use Garageband ( it’s free) then upgrade to Logic – Apple have made it the same as GarageBand for you. Then you can use Alchemy still. I can’t see what the issue is.
You can forget all you learnt about that weird SFZ sample format that Camel insisted we used – glad the Apple guys told them to drop that nonsense.
You never know Apple might do what they did when they pissed off all those Emagic users on the PC when they made it Mac only – they created a reduced upgrade for those people if they moved over to the Mac.
No other company helps you get it right like this.

master chain

How much did Apple pay you to say that?

Guillaume Lectez

Is it just me? For the same preset Camel Alchemy is ok for my CPU (corei7), and with Apple Alchemy2 more than 80% of CPU ????

Guillaume Lectez

Is it just me? For the same preset Camel Alchemy is ok for my CPU (corei7), and with Apple Alchemy2 more than 80% of CPU ????

Ian Aros

YES YES YES YES!!!!!! AND IT’S FREE!!!!! Apple I love you! this synth used to cost a fortune if you got the expansions . I’m so happy right now 🙂

Ian Aros

YES YES YES YES!!!!!! AND IT’S FREE!!!!! Apple I love you! this synth used to cost a fortune if you got the expansions . I’m so happy right now 🙂

That’s very sad and disappointing indeed. Hope you’ll be lucky enough to obtain an alchemy player from one of those old collectable computer music magazines that has the free software in them. All I can say I do wish you luck in finding one. For sure the best software synth I ever imagined…

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